A Boxy Zippered Bag

Made and written before the events of the past few weeks. 

I wanted to make a little something for my dear friend Ashley, and for some reason thought a roomy zippered pouch would be just the thing. I thought she could use it for knitting notions, makeup, or to put toiletries in to come visit (hint, hint).

I chose the outer fabric: a beautiful rayon bias-cut skirt that was handed down and looked terrible on me. (Bias skirts have never flattered my pear shape.) I had a sturdy green cotton that matched perfectly to use as the lining. Against my better judgement, I decided to use the Weekend Away Travel Bag from Weekend Sewing. I knew I shouldn't have. I have vague memories of reading a review of the pattern that was not good. But I did it anyway. I have only myself, and the author and editor of the book, to blame for the frustration that followed.


I did not do a good job interfacing it. I can never seem to get interfacing just right.

The construction method is unintuitive, at best. The thick, unwieldy seams are difficult to wrangle into place, and the complete lack of useful diagrams was a serious oversight on the part of the editor. This is the fifth poorly written pattern I've used from the book, and I was tempted to pitch the thing out into the unseasonable and cold June rain we were having.


Zipper and side detail. The zipper is vintage, and the only one I had that was long enough. I wasn't sure about the color, but once it was together, I thought it went with the fabric very well.

I do realize that I did not help matters by using the flimsy rayon, but I thought that interfacing it lightly would help, which it undoubtedly did. The seams are thick no matter what, though, and putting it together, especially not knowing which way was up or sideways or anything, was a bear.


The lining, with a peak at the thick seams. You can't really tell how difficult they are to work with from this photo.

The shape turned out somewhat triangular instead of boxy. I think it's pretty anyway (I just love that fabric!), but I really wish I'd decided to look for an online tutorial (note the handy tabs on that boxy bag) instead.


Side detail, zipper unzipped. It's a nice size, I'll give it that.


The above mentioned boxy bag tutorial looks nice, but I think I'm going to wait to try it out.  I need to make myself a zippered pouch for my knitting notions, and I think I'm going to use this nifty tutorial on Craftster, perhaps with a divider in the middle and a small pocket or two on the side. [I realize I have a problem following directions exactly, but I cannot seem to stop myself. Perhaps I do have only myself to blame for the problems I had with the boxy zippered pouch from Weekend Sewing.] (Note: zippered pouch for knitting notions made, sans divider and pockets...but I did make it a little wider.)


And, really, as long as Ashley likes it, it was worth the whole experience to make it.